Outreach and Strategic Communications Specialist at WorldFish Center

Position: Outreach and Strategic Communications Specialist

Location: Penang (Malaysia-HQ)

Application Deadline: 06 October 2021

Type of contract: Fixed-term 03 years (option to renew based on performance and budget)

Language(s) required: English (native/fluent writing and oral skills)

About WorldFish

WorldFish is an international, non-for-profit research organization that works to reduce hunger, malnutrition and poverty by improving fisheries and aquaculture. With a 45-years track record of leading-edge science, WorldFish generates research evidence and innovations to inform sustainable practices and inclusive policies that enable better livelihoods and healthier diets for millions of poor people, particularly women, who depend on fish for food, nutrition and income. WorldFish is a member of CGIAR, the world’s largest global partnership on agriculture research and innovation for a food secure future. Headquartered in Penang, Malaysia and with regional offices across Africa, Asia and the Pacific, WorldFish leads the cross-disciplinary CGIAR Research Program (CRP) on Fish Agri-Food Systems (FISH).

About the Position

We are looking for an enthusiastic and results-driven Outreach and Strategic Communications Specialist to join our busy and dynamic Strategy, Innovation & Communications team at the WorldFish headquarters. If you are passionate about working with world-class scientists and engaging with different policymakers, donors and development practitioners to inform and influence the global sustainable development agenda – through scientific evidence and innovative solutions – on issues as diverse as climate change, sustainable ocean governance and inclusive blue growth, food and nutrition security, poverty and livelihoods, gender equality and environmental sustainability, then this is the job for you.

Reporting to the Executive Director – Strategy, Innovation and Communications and working closely with the Office of the Director General, you will be responsible for creating and implementing bold, innovative outreach and communications activities to build and consolidate WorldFish’s position and image as a trusted thought leader and maximize the outreach and impact of its research work and innovations. Your main responsibilities will focus around these areas:

1. Content development and implementation;
2. Engagement of different stakeholders through innovative outreach and strategic communication events and activities;
3. Public and media relations; and
4. Learning and innovation for improving processes and results of the outreach and strategic communications effort.

You must have a strong foundation in all aspects of outreach and strategic communications, reflected in your experience with strategic planning, development and implementation of different activities, including high-level events. Moreover, you are a digital native with experience working both strategically and tactically with different digital tools – ideally applying omni-channel approaches. You love to think strategically, but even more to get going with execution. You understand what it takes to create messaging and design processes that engage target audiences. You can grasp complex structures and concepts quickly and can think on your feet. Customer service and relationship management are natural abilities of yours, and you use your social and interpersonal skills to motive and inspire others. Most importantly, you are structured and well-organized, yet able to handle multiple issues and shifting priorities with ease.

This is a challenging and exciting role for a stellar communicator with strong writing skills, excellent public relations experience, and the intellectual curiosity to always learn and push yourself outside of your comfort zone. You must have a passion for science and communications, a knack for seizing opportunities, a proven ability to manage and coordinate multiple projects and people, and a flair for bringing out the best in multidisciplinary teams operating in complex research programs and multicultural settings of an international organization.

We are looking for someone who embodies and demonstrates a strong results-driven work ethic that inspires and motivates others to deliver high quality results; fosters a culture of learning and innovation; support effective teamwork and collaborations across regions, time-zones and different functions and disciplines; and builds trust and exceed expectations of key audiences and partners of WorldFish.

To find out more about the role, please check out the full job description here before applying.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Communications, Journalism, International Relations, Environmental Science and/or a related discipline.
• At least 8 years of relevant professional work experience in media/communications, preferably internationally, and experience with a range of strategic communications tools and techniques.
• At least 5 years of demonstrated professional experience in planning, implementing and evaluating complex outreach and strategic communications activities for a regional or global organization, operating in the research, policy or development sector.
• Demonstrable experience with conducting in-depth policy and issue research in a variety of areas relating to the global sustainable development agenda.
• Strong ability to digest, critically analyze and present complex information clearly and concisely in a wide variety of formats to non-scientific audiences.
• A skilled, dynamic writer, editor, facilitator and presenter.
• Have a proven strong understanding of how media works, including digital communications and outreach (websites, blogs, campaigns, video, multimedia etc.) and social media outlets (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, Instagram, YouTube).
• Experience in planning, implementing and evaluating complex outreach and strategic communications initiatives and programs.
• Proficiency in MS Office tools and applications; working knowledge of Drupal, Adobe Suite preferred.
• Experience working for an international research organization similar to WorldFish an advantage.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with attention to detail and evidence.
• Fluency in English is essential, while other languages (esp. French) an advantage.
• Willingness to travel and work in the field for an estimated of 04-06 weeks per year.

Salary & Benefits

This is an Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS) position and WorldFish offers a competitive remuneration package including comprehensive benefits including (but not limited to) housing allowance*, relocation and repatriation assistance*, dependent education allowance*, home leave entitlement*, comprehensive insurance coverage for staff and eligible dependents, and pension/provident fund contribution.

Note: Items marked are not applicable to staff recruited as Home Country Internationals (nationals of the country of posting). All benefits are subject to terms and conditions.*

Recruitment Process

The position will be remotely based and the successful candidate will be expected to relocate to Penang, Malaysia by end of 2021 or early 2022. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to take a written test and interviews will be held in October 2021. The successful candidate should be ideally available to commence as soon as possible and preferably within one month of receiving the offer. The position will be contracted for three (03) years fixed-term contract, with a high probability of contract renewal depending on performance and funding availability. Due to the high volume of applicants for WorldFish positions, we appreciate all interest, but only shortlisted candidates will be notified.